Broken Trailer Hitch - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Strodder · 04-01-2009, 11:17 AM

I know this is a 60-66 Forum, but you have to see this. Never take for granted your hitch is in good shape. Last weekend we went to Las Vegas for a Motorcycle Event. We took the 2003 Chevy Truck and the Toy HaulerTrailer with the bike in it. It was really windy there & back. After I unhitched the trailer when we got home, and took the receiver off. My roll pan, and licence plate was bent down. I looked underneath at the trailer hitch. The hitch was almost broken off. It was hanging down when weight was on it. Here's some pictures of the broken hitch. Before & after I re welded it. I added a thick angle bracket, and made a gusset for it. You can't see it in the pictures, but the one I welded in when I installed the hitch the first time you can see. That saved me. It was the main thing holding the hitch on. Now it's much stronger than it was originally. I also welded both sides where the square tube goes through the side brackets. We could have been killed if it broke loose from the truck. We're lucky.

Strodder · 04-01-2009, 11:21 AM

This is after I repaired it. By the way this hitch is a hidden hitch from Sr Michaels.

This bracket welded near the middle is the main thing that was holding it together.

MacAttack · 04-01-2009, 11:48 AM

Yikes! That factory fab/welding stuff can hold some hidden flaws in a production environment - like nasty material stress cracks.

Nice rehab, BTW. That thing’s not going anywhere.

Strodder · 04-01-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacAttack

Yikes! That factory fab/welding stuff can hold some hidden flaws in a production environment - like nasty material stress cracks.

Nice rehab, BTW. That thing’s not going anywhere.

Thanks, I hope not.

Alan's Classic · 04-01-2009, 12:04 PM

Sombody was watching out for you.

4dranch · 04-01-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Sombody was watching out for you.

That could have been ugly. glad no one got hurt..

Strodder · 04-01-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4dranch

That could have been ugly. glad no one got hurt..

Some one else could have gotten hurt too. There was a lot of people on the way back from Vegas.

Strodder · 04-01-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Somebody was watching out for you.

We're not very religious but my Wife said God was looking out for us.
Thank GOD.

ceruzziracing · 04-01-2009, 06:24 PM

Holy S*@T glad you're okay, that could've been very ugly to say the least!

Imperial Kustom · 04-01-2009, 07:38 PM

Whoa!!! Now that is frightening right there! I had a trailer ball come loose once while i was hauling a CHERRY bed on the trailer. Thankfully I heard the odd clunk from the back of the truck and got 'er nice 'n tight with the ol' pipe wrench before anything catastrophic happened. You sir, are a lucky man!

Strodder · 04-01-2009, 08:48 PM

Here's what we were towing. It's about 10K loaded

Fred T · 04-02-2009, 12:03 AM

Did you contact Sir Michaels? I would think they would want to see the pics.

Strodder · 04-02-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred T

Did you contact Sir Michaels? I would think they would want to see the pics.

I did, but they were closed for a funeral. I think the owners wife died. She has been really sick for a while. Thanks for reminding me. I've been real busy the last 2 days, and forgot to call them back.

Strodder · 04-02-2009, 10:32 PM

I call Sr Michaels back today. They said Michael was still out. He will call me tomorrow. They said that the hitch is rated at 5K. My trailer is much heaver than that. But Michael will still call me. I told them that I already fixed, and modified it to make it stronger. I don't want another hitch. I just wanted to let them know what happened. I can see the hitch bending from the weight, but not break like it did.

Strodder · 04-06-2009, 10:12 PM

Here's an update. Sr Michaels never called me back. I'm staying awake at night worrying about that hitch, even though it should be stronger than it was. The truck is still a 1500. It's not meant to pull some thing as heavy as my trailer. I bit the bullet, and traded it in for a used 2006 2500HD. I feel much better now. Can't wait to go camping. I took the helper bags, air tank, compressor, brake controller, bed extender, extra trans cooler, Hypertech Programmer, and some billet stuff off it before I gave it to them. The Chevy dealer said it was OK to do it. This 2006 2500HD is loaded. I'm going to miss my 1500. It looked cool, but after a while I'll have this one looken really good.

MacAttack · 04-07-2009, 10:14 AM

Congratulations on the newer and more heavy duty ride. Have Fun!

Mac.

04-01-2009, 11:17 AM	#1
Strodder Daring to be Different Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hesperia, Ca Posts: 4,499	Broken Trailer Hitch I know this is a 60-66 Forum, but you have to see this. Never take for granted your hitch is in good shape. Last weekend we went to Las Vegas for a Motorcycle Event. We took the 2003 Chevy Truck and the Toy HaulerTrailer with the bike in it. It was really windy there & back. After I unhitched the trailer when we got home, and took the receiver off. My roll pan, and licence plate was bent down. I looked underneath at the trailer hitch. The hitch was almost broken off. It was hanging down when weight was on it. Here's some pictures of the broken hitch. Before & after I re welded it. I added a thick angle bracket, and made a gusset for it. You can't see it in the pictures, but the one I welded in when I installed the hitch the first time you can see. That saved me. It was the main thing holding the hitch on. Now it's much stronger than it was originally. I also welded both sides where the square tube goes through the side brackets. We could have been killed if it broke loose from the truck. We're lucky. __________________ *Dennis* Check out my 65/73 Cheap Build Thread. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=327644 *KUSTOM RIDES* FACE BOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/291198124258863/ 1965 C-10 Short Bed 350/700r4 2012 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 2016 Honda Accord w/ 18" rims 2007 Honda Goldwing Trike w/ NAVI 2001 Yamaha Roadstar Indian look alike "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...WOW!...what an amazing ride!" Live Life Passionately!!! [/COLOR] *I AM WE TODD IT, I AM SOFA KING WE TODD IT* Last edited by Strodder; 04-01-2009 at 11:23 AM.

04-01-2009, 11:21 AM	#2
Strodder Daring to be Different Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hesperia, Ca Posts: 4,499	Re: Broken Trailer Hitch This is after I repaired it. By the way this hitch is a hidden hitch from Sr Michaels. This bracket welded near the middle is the main thing that was holding it together. __________________ *Dennis* Check out my 65/73 Cheap Build Thread. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=327644 *KUSTOM RIDES* FACE BOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/291198124258863/ 1965 C-10 Short Bed 350/700r4 2012 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 2016 Honda Accord w/ 18" rims 2007 Honda Goldwing Trike w/ NAVI 2001 Yamaha Roadstar Indian look alike "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...WOW!...what an amazing ride!" Live Life Passionately!!! [/COLOR] *I AM WE TODD IT, I AM SOFA KING WE TODD IT*

04-01-2009, 11:48 AM	#3
MacAttack 283 Drama Queen Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Surf City, CA Posts: 2,435	Re: Broken Trailer Hitch Yikes! That factory fab/welding stuff can hold some hidden flaws in a production environment - like nasty material stress cracks. Nice rehab, BTW. That thing’s not going anywhere. __________________ For about 12 years of my adult life I had a severe speech impediment. My ex-wife never let me get a word in edgewise.

04-01-2009, 12:04 PM	#5
Alan's Classic 1 thing at a time is progress. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ball Ground GA Posts: 5,511	Re: Broken Trailer Hitch Sombody was watching out for you. __________________ Alan Philippians 2:14-16 Alan's Classic Facebook page. North Georgia Group Project 1965 Vitamin C-10 1995 GMC Sierra K1500 The "Wrecker"

04-01-2009, 06:24 PM	#9
ceruzziracing Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Deland, Florida Posts: 62	Re: Broken Trailer Hitch Holy S*@T glad you're okay, that could've been very ugly to say the least!

04-01-2009, 07:38 PM	#10
Imperial Kustom 100% gearhead Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 313	Re: Broken Trailer Hitch Whoa!!! Now that is frightening right there! I had a trailer ball come loose once while i was hauling a CHERRY bed on the trailer. Thankfully I heard the odd clunk from the back of the truck and got 'er nice 'n tight with the ol' pipe wrench before anything catastrophic happened. You sir, are a lucky man! __________________ Imperial Kustom LLC Meridian Idaho. I never stopped playing with cars, they just got bigger.

04-01-2009, 08:48 PM	#11
Strodder Daring to be Different Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hesperia, Ca Posts: 4,499	Re: Broken Trailer Hitch Here's what we were towing. It's about 10K loaded __________________ *Dennis* Check out my 65/73 Cheap Build Thread. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=327644 *KUSTOM RIDES* FACE BOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/291198124258863/ 1965 C-10 Short Bed 350/700r4 2012 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 2016 Honda Accord w/ 18" rims 2007 Honda Goldwing Trike w/ NAVI 2001 Yamaha Roadstar Indian look alike "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...WOW!...what an amazing ride!" Live Life Passionately!!! [/COLOR] *I AM WE TODD IT, I AM SOFA KING WE TODD IT* Last edited by Strodder; 04-02-2009 at 10:44 AM.

04-02-2009, 12:03 AM	#12
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Broken Trailer Hitch Did you contact Sir Michaels? I would think they would want to see the pics. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

04-02-2009, 10:32 PM	#14
Strodder Daring to be Different Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hesperia, Ca Posts: 4,499	Re: Broken Trailer Hitch I call Sr Michaels back today. They said Michael was still out. He will call me tomorrow. They said that the hitch is rated at 5K. My trailer is much heaver than that. But Michael will still call me. I told them that I already fixed, and modified it to make it stronger. I don't want another hitch. I just wanted to let them know what happened. I can see the hitch bending from the weight, but not break like it did. __________________ *Dennis* Check out my 65/73 Cheap Build Thread. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=327644 *KUSTOM RIDES* FACE BOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/291198124258863/ 1965 C-10 Short Bed 350/700r4 2012 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 2016 Honda Accord w/ 18" rims 2007 Honda Goldwing Trike w/ NAVI 2001 Yamaha Roadstar Indian look alike "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...WOW!...what an amazing ride!" Live Life Passionately!!! [/COLOR] *I AM WE TODD IT, I AM SOFA KING WE TODD IT*

04-06-2009, 10:12 PM	#15
Strodder Daring to be Different Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hesperia, Ca Posts: 4,499	Re: Broken Trailer Hitch Here's an update. Sr Michaels never called me back. I'm staying awake at night worrying about that hitch, even though it should be stronger than it was. The truck is still a 1500. It's not meant to pull some thing as heavy as my trailer. I bit the bullet, and traded it in for a used 2006 2500HD. I feel much better now. Can't wait to go camping. I took the helper bags, air tank, compressor, brake controller, bed extender, extra trans cooler, Hypertech Programmer, and some billet stuff off it before I gave it to them. The Chevy dealer said it was OK to do it. This 2006 2500HD is loaded. I'm going to miss my 1500. It looked cool, but after a while I'll have this one looken really good. __________________ *Dennis* Check out my 65/73 Cheap Build Thread. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=327644 *KUSTOM RIDES* FACE BOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/291198124258863/ 1965 C-10 Short Bed 350/700r4 2012 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 2016 Honda Accord w/ 18" rims 2007 Honda Goldwing Trike w/ NAVI 2001 Yamaha Roadstar Indian look alike "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...WOW!...what an amazing ride!" Live Life Passionately!!! [/COLOR] *I AM WE TODD IT, I AM SOFA KING WE TODD IT*

04-07-2009, 10:14 AM	#16
MacAttack 283 Drama Queen Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Surf City, CA Posts: 2,435	Re: Broken Trailer Hitch Congratulations on the newer and more heavy duty ride. Have Fun! Mac. __________________ For about 12 years of my adult life I had a severe speech impediment. My ex-wife never let me get a word in edgewise.



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